Author: Donnelly, Christin

Rashel Marrero, HDFS Undergraduate Student Spotlight, October 2025

Rashel Marrero

Headshot, Rashel Marrero

Rashel  Oliva Marrero is a dedicated HDFS major at UConn Stamford. During her time as an undergraduate student, she has embodied a passion for supporting and nurturing others at every stage of life. Rashel is committed to a holistic understanding of human well-being and is pursuing a dual degree in Public Administration, maintaining a strong GPA of 3.8. She aims to apply her studies in human development, equity, and leadership toward policy, communication, and community empowerment.

Rashel’s interest in leadership and public engagement has been deepened by her internships. Most notably, she completed an internship with The Campaign School at Yale Law School (TCSYale), a nonpartisan, issue-neutral training program whose mission is to increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed office. Through this experience, Rashel gained firsthand insight into the intersection of gender equity, civic participation, and institutional leadership. In addition, she served as a Social Media Intern for different religious organizations, where she developed skills in content strategy, audience engagement, and digital storytelling. These roles allowed her to explore how to leverage online platforms for community impact, advocacy, and public education.

As she approaches graduation, Rashel continues to seek opportunities that integrate her academic training with her passion for building equitable systems, effective communication, and inclusive leadership.

Roselind Velez Amaker, HDFS Alumni Spotlight – October 2025

Headshot, Roselind Amaker

Roselind is a passionate and dedicated first-generation academic who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Couples and Family Therapy. As a proud UConn alum, she earned her HDFS BA, with a minor in Women’s Studies, in 2015. She later obtained her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Central Connecticut State University in 2020.

With over 18 years of experience in the mental health field, including seven years as a mental health Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Roselind has committed her career to supporting and empowering individuals and families. Her research focuses on the reintegration of military service members into their families and communities, and she is a passionate advocate for racial equity and cultural inclusion.

As a skilled bilingual therapist, Roselind excels at connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds across all stages of life. She currently works in the Young Adult Services program at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services while also managing her private practice, Blooming Wellness & Therapeutic Services, LLC. Roselind’s work reflects her unwavering commitment to healing, equity, and community impact.

Lydia Nyarko, HDFS Graduate Student Spotlight, October 2025

Headshot, Lydia Nyarko

Lydia O Nyarko is a first-year HDFS master’s student working with Dr. Jolaade Kalinowski. Lydia earned her UConn BA in Global Health and Society with a minor in HDFS. As an undergraduate student, she explored health disparities and health equity. She became passionate about child health and community influences on child development. Lydia received a scholarship from the Hurley Gurley Foundation that funded her passion project titled Amplifying the voices of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community in Ghana.

As a graduate student, Lydia works with Dr. Kalinowski as a research assistant on her Stress Lab Project. Currently, Lydia is exploring mental health-seeking behaviors among women of color and young adults. She plans on applying multidisciplinary frameworks to inform mental health interventions, particularly for immigrant families. After completing her master’s, Lydia hopes to pursue a PhD in HDFS.

Lydia grew up in Ghana before moving to the US. While an undergraduate student, she studied abroad three times. Her longterm goal is to visit all the countries in the world. She enjoys vlogging her life.